In 1977, Piers Anthony starts one of the greatest, and pun-filled, fantasy series with a novel called A Spell for Chameleon. It's about a man named Bink trying to find his magic talent in kingdom where every bit of magic is special and embarks on a journey to discover his talent but ends up getting a wife and a new King. Synopsis: Xanth was the enchanted land where magic ruled--where
every citizen had a special spell only he could cast. That is, except
for Bink of North Village. He was sure he possessed no magic, and knew
that if he didn't find some soon, he would be exiled. According to the
Good Magician Humpfrey, the charts said that Bink was as powerful as the
King or even the Evil Magician Trent. Unfortunately, no one could
determine its form. Meanwhile, Bink was in despair. If he didn't find
his magic soon, he would be forced to leave....
The novel opens with Bink worrying about not having a magical talent; he'll be exiled from Xanth if he cant produce/show his ability to King Aeolus on his (Bink's) 25th birthday. Sabrina, a young woman Bink likes, suggests he as Good Magician Humphrey to see what his magical talent it. Bink sets off, coming across a pair of centaurs--Chester and Cherie. Cherie gives Bink a lift toward the edge of the forest, whose magical properties try and turn unsuspecting travelers into fish or other animals or kill them. Bink learns ancient Xanth history from Cherie; she also tells Bink about Herman the Hermit, a centaur exiled for obscenity. Bink stands in for a man at a hearing; the man's accused of raping a dimly hot woman called Wynne. The case is cleared because of virtue of reasonable doubt. Wynne takes Bink to the Gap.
Despite her stupidity, Bink refuses to take advantage of her and orders her to leave when the Gap Dragon attacks. Bink manages to escape via being stuck in the Gap; Bink accepts a shade's help and they escape toward the shade's former home; the shade says goodbye to his wife, then departs. Bink resumes his journey. He runs into the Sorceress Iris, who specializes in illusions. After a bit of time, he's not fooled by her magic and rejects her offers of marriage, to become the King, and taking Sabrina as a mistress; Iris wants to rule as Queen with Bink as a puppet. He leaves her behind. Bink saves a wounded Corporal Crombie using healing water from a magic spring; Crombie pledges to see Bink to Good Magician Humphrey. Crombie's talent is to sense danger; he's slightly mistaken when the threat turns out to be an average woman called Dee--she's on her way to see Humphrey as well.
The three head there; though they part ways when Crombie keeps being sexist towards Dee, telling her that all women mean men harm. Bink, alone, makes it to Humphrey. Together, they ask the mirror--which contains a demon named Beauregard--about Bink's talent; Beauregard agrees that Bink does have a magic talent, but can't answer as to what it does. With that, Good Magician Humphrey gives Bink a slip of paper for the King, stating that Bink does have magic, but is clueless as to what it does. Bink goes back and presents the paper to the King, who rejects it and has Bink exiled. Bink crosses the shield-stone and gets captured by Evil Magician Trent; so is a fat and ugly woman named Fanchon. Together, and after Bink and Fanchon attempt an escape, Trent, Bink, and Fanchon manage to be pulled under a whirlpool and get stranded back in Xanth.
They stay together, despite not getting along; Bink finds out during a stay in hidden Castle Roogna that Fanchon, Dee, and Wynne are the same person, and their changes in form and brains during the moon cycles are her talent. Trent and the others try and make it back to North Village, despite everyone facing the same penalties as before--worse for Trent, though. They encounter Herman the Hermit as he fights to extinguish the dreaded wiggles. Herman and the Invisible Giant are killed, but Trent--with Bink's permission--turns Bink into a salamander and burns the forest, then gives a speech about Herman's sacrifice. Trent, Bink, and Chameleon encounter Iris--she wants Trent to rule so she can be Queen. Trent and Bink fight, but Trent's magic doesn't work.
Trent and Bink discover that this is his talent, to prevent himself from being harmed by magic and continuously hides its itself, thereby preventing anyone from discovering it. The duel results in Chameleon being wounded. Trent stays to heal and protect her--much to Iris' anger and because Trent wouldn't want to get his kingdom by killing. Bink flies to get help as a bird. Good Magician Humphrey, after being alerted by Bink, goes to get the North Village people and they save Chameleon, then--because the King is dead--the people ask Trent to become the new King. Trent takes Iris as his wife and repeals the ancient law of needing a magic talent to stay in Xanth. Bink is appointed Official Researcher of Xanth. Bink and Chameleon decide to get married.
All in all, a well crafted novel with tiny bits of puns, great characterization, wonderful world-building, and a great sense of pacing. I would recommend this fantasy series to any fan of fantasy and world-building.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Book Review: Star Wars: The Old Republic: Annihilation SPOILERS!
In 2012, Drew Karpyshyn came back once more to butcher the epic Star Wars canon, this time invalidating The Old Republic: The Lost Suns while simultaneously dumbing-down the characters to the point where no one cares--not even the fans. Synopsis: The Sith Empire is in flux. The Emperor is missing, presumed dead, and an ambitious Sith Lord’s attempt to seize the throne has ended fatally. Still, Darth Karrid, commander of the fearsome Imperial battle cruiser Ascendant Spear, continues her relentless efforts to achieve total Sith domination of the galaxy. But Karrid’s ruthless determination is more than matched in the steely resolve of Theron Shan, whose unfinished business with the Empire could change the course of the war for good. Though the son of a Jedi Master, Theron does not wield the Force—but like his renowned mother, the spirit of rebellion is in his blood. As a top covert agent for the Republic, he struck a crucial blow against the Empire by exposing and destroying a Sith superweapon arsenal—which makes him the ideal operative for a daring and dangerous mission to end Ascendant Spear’s reign of terror. Joined by hot-headed smuggler Teff'ith, with whom he has an inexplicable bond, and wise Jedi warrior Gnost-Dural,
Darth Karrid’s former master, Theron must match wits and weapons with a
battle-tested crew of the most cold-blooded dark side disciples. But
time is brutally short. And if they don’t seize their one chance to
succeed, they will surely have countless opportunities to die.
And ignore all that claptrap. Drew Karpyshyn--like Troy Denning, Stephanie Meyer, Christie Golden, Dan Brown, and Kevin J. Anderson--couldn't write this story even if he tried. He always rewrites the characters past so that what happened before refuses to logically match what the character was. The Ascendant Spear isn't a big threat; in the novel, it has yet to be fully tested, so using the words "fearsome" and "reign of terror" are hardly concise with what it really is: an untested, unstable weapon that only kills one ship and Darth Karrid. Karrid is neither ruthless nor relentless at any point; she's constantly whining about Darth Malgus' death in the TOR flashpoint. Gnost-Dural comes off as an idiotic Jedi who has no idea what he's doing. And the vast majority of the novel is handed over to Satele and Jace's secret-but-not-so-secret relationship post Hope-trailer. Oh, and there's not once a scene depicting a crew of "cold-blooded dark side disciples."
The novel opens with Jedi Knight Satele Shan giving birth to Theron Shan. Fast-forward a few years (after the Jedi Knight kills Vitiate and Darth Malgus is killed by who-knows) and Theron's ambushed by a Houk but easily stuns his fellow SIS agent instead. He's stumbled onto Operation Transom. Turns out that Operation Transom is to stop Morbo the Hutt from auctioning Republic POWs to the Sith Empire. Theron wants Morbo to call off a hit on the Old Tion Brotherhood just to rescue the yellow-skinned Twi'lek Teff'ith. She's in danger, and, despite leaving half the shipment of spice behind, manages to escape with her boss before anything interesting can happen. SIS director Marcus Trent talks with Colonel Jace Malcom, Supreme Commander of the Republic Military, about the disaster of Operation Transom on Nar Shaddaa, the moon of Nal Hutta, and Darth Vitiate's demise, plus the fact that the Empire is reeling from Gus' failed coop and death. Trent's worried about Ascendant Spear's unconfirmed slaughter of Republic ships and its commander, Darth Karrid--once Gnost-Dural's apprentice, formerly Darth Malgus's student. Jace assigns Theron and wants a joint force of SIS, Military, and Jedi team.
Darths Ravage, Marr, Mortis, Rictus, and Vowran argue about placing Karrid on the Dark Council and Marr updates Karrid. Meanwhile, Karrid offers assistance to her rival, Darth Gravus, at the battle to retake Leritor, but he orders his ships to attack her. Karrid kills Gravus and the Republic Fleet. She transmits Gravus' treason to the Dark Council. The Dark Council agree that Gravus was an idiot and appoints Karrid as a member. Jedi Master Gnost-Dural is assigned to Operation End Game. Jace learns that Theron is Satele's son and demands that he (Theron) be on the mission. Jace, Gnost-Dural, Theron, and Marcus plan Op End Game. Jace tells Theron that he's his father; Jace and Theron agree to start getting to know each other IF Theron survives End Game. Theron, despite Teff'ith telling him not to contact her, has her set up a contact on Ziost. Theron and Gnost-Dural arrive on Ziost and they "secure" a black cipher from Minister Davidge's office. The black cipher allows the SIS to monitor Imperial transmissions and make further plans. Davidge reports to Darth Marr and Marr suggests to push the war forward on several fronts. Jace and Trent order Theron and Gnost-Dural to contact Teff'ith.
Gnost-Dural informs Theron that Satele wants to meet with him and for Teff'ith not to mention it to Jace. Satele tells Theron that Jace in angry and vengeful because of the war and that he might corrupt Theron; Satele recalls the night she and Jace argued about the war. Theron and Gnost-Dural persuade Teff'ith to help with the promise that Theron disappears for good. Theron, Gnost-Dural, and Teff'ith board Reaver Station; Theron learns that Jace and Trent ignored the warnings and left Ruan and Duro vulnerable. Theron asks Teff'ith to alert Satele that Ascendant Spear will be at Duro and have the Grand Master force Jace to send a fleet; Gnost-Dural and Karrid duel--Gnost-Dural is captured. Teff'ith is arrested on Coruscant and holds up in a CSF building until Satele arrives; Teff'ith tells Satele everything. Gnost-Dural manages to convince Karrid about the Republic knowing of the attack on Duro and that he was the distraction; Karrid orders Ascendant Spear to head for Duro. Teff'ith and Satele convince Jace to send a couple of fleets to Duro; Jace and Satele are going, as is Teff'ith. Jace orders the fleet to eliminate the Ascendant Spear. Theron breaks Gnost-Dural out and they split up.
Gnost-Dural holds off soldiers and Sith while Theron, finally, forces Karrid to sever her link with Ascendant Spear. Jace orders the fleet to pound on Ascendant Spear. The Sith ship buckles and Karrid races back to take control; Theron escapes as Karrid is killed by a shot from the Republic fleet. Ascendant Spear is destroyed. Theron and Gnost-Dural escape. At the award ceremony, Jace and Satele part on better terms; Theron leaves a message for Jace, saying he wants to get to know him. Theron gives Teff'ith her credits and says he'll always watch over her as that's what family does.
Though Drew tries his best to crank out a better book since he quit BioWare, he still fails to bring together a descent story. Instead, just like TOR:Revan, he rushes through it and manages to assassinate their characterizations. For instance, Gnost-Dural is a Jedi librarian and historian, not combative at all; Jace Malcom is a hardened war hero what was always characterized as tough and always looks out for innocent civilians--here's he's completely ruthless and unethical; Satele is just a whiny character that constantly harps on the past; Theron's cold and constantly screws some things up just because; Teff'ith is suddenly completely idioitc and says "We" instead of "I"; The Dark Council are probably the best characters, simply because Drew hates Jedi and has always praised the Sith, or at least writes them better than the Jedi and Republic.
And ignore all that claptrap. Drew Karpyshyn--like Troy Denning, Stephanie Meyer, Christie Golden, Dan Brown, and Kevin J. Anderson--couldn't write this story even if he tried. He always rewrites the characters past so that what happened before refuses to logically match what the character was. The Ascendant Spear isn't a big threat; in the novel, it has yet to be fully tested, so using the words "fearsome" and "reign of terror" are hardly concise with what it really is: an untested, unstable weapon that only kills one ship and Darth Karrid. Karrid is neither ruthless nor relentless at any point; she's constantly whining about Darth Malgus' death in the TOR flashpoint. Gnost-Dural comes off as an idiotic Jedi who has no idea what he's doing. And the vast majority of the novel is handed over to Satele and Jace's secret-but-not-so-secret relationship post Hope-trailer. Oh, and there's not once a scene depicting a crew of "cold-blooded dark side disciples."
The novel opens with Jedi Knight Satele Shan giving birth to Theron Shan. Fast-forward a few years (after the Jedi Knight kills Vitiate and Darth Malgus is killed by who-knows) and Theron's ambushed by a Houk but easily stuns his fellow SIS agent instead. He's stumbled onto Operation Transom. Turns out that Operation Transom is to stop Morbo the Hutt from auctioning Republic POWs to the Sith Empire. Theron wants Morbo to call off a hit on the Old Tion Brotherhood just to rescue the yellow-skinned Twi'lek Teff'ith. She's in danger, and, despite leaving half the shipment of spice behind, manages to escape with her boss before anything interesting can happen. SIS director Marcus Trent talks with Colonel Jace Malcom, Supreme Commander of the Republic Military, about the disaster of Operation Transom on Nar Shaddaa, the moon of Nal Hutta, and Darth Vitiate's demise, plus the fact that the Empire is reeling from Gus' failed coop and death. Trent's worried about Ascendant Spear's unconfirmed slaughter of Republic ships and its commander, Darth Karrid--once Gnost-Dural's apprentice, formerly Darth Malgus's student. Jace assigns Theron and wants a joint force of SIS, Military, and Jedi team.
Darths Ravage, Marr, Mortis, Rictus, and Vowran argue about placing Karrid on the Dark Council and Marr updates Karrid. Meanwhile, Karrid offers assistance to her rival, Darth Gravus, at the battle to retake Leritor, but he orders his ships to attack her. Karrid kills Gravus and the Republic Fleet. She transmits Gravus' treason to the Dark Council. The Dark Council agree that Gravus was an idiot and appoints Karrid as a member. Jedi Master Gnost-Dural is assigned to Operation End Game. Jace learns that Theron is Satele's son and demands that he (Theron) be on the mission. Jace, Gnost-Dural, Theron, and Marcus plan Op End Game. Jace tells Theron that he's his father; Jace and Theron agree to start getting to know each other IF Theron survives End Game. Theron, despite Teff'ith telling him not to contact her, has her set up a contact on Ziost. Theron and Gnost-Dural arrive on Ziost and they "secure" a black cipher from Minister Davidge's office. The black cipher allows the SIS to monitor Imperial transmissions and make further plans. Davidge reports to Darth Marr and Marr suggests to push the war forward on several fronts. Jace and Trent order Theron and Gnost-Dural to contact Teff'ith.
Gnost-Dural informs Theron that Satele wants to meet with him and for Teff'ith not to mention it to Jace. Satele tells Theron that Jace in angry and vengeful because of the war and that he might corrupt Theron; Satele recalls the night she and Jace argued about the war. Theron and Gnost-Dural persuade Teff'ith to help with the promise that Theron disappears for good. Theron, Gnost-Dural, and Teff'ith board Reaver Station; Theron learns that Jace and Trent ignored the warnings and left Ruan and Duro vulnerable. Theron asks Teff'ith to alert Satele that Ascendant Spear will be at Duro and have the Grand Master force Jace to send a fleet; Gnost-Dural and Karrid duel--Gnost-Dural is captured. Teff'ith is arrested on Coruscant and holds up in a CSF building until Satele arrives; Teff'ith tells Satele everything. Gnost-Dural manages to convince Karrid about the Republic knowing of the attack on Duro and that he was the distraction; Karrid orders Ascendant Spear to head for Duro. Teff'ith and Satele convince Jace to send a couple of fleets to Duro; Jace and Satele are going, as is Teff'ith. Jace orders the fleet to eliminate the Ascendant Spear. Theron breaks Gnost-Dural out and they split up.
Gnost-Dural holds off soldiers and Sith while Theron, finally, forces Karrid to sever her link with Ascendant Spear. Jace orders the fleet to pound on Ascendant Spear. The Sith ship buckles and Karrid races back to take control; Theron escapes as Karrid is killed by a shot from the Republic fleet. Ascendant Spear is destroyed. Theron and Gnost-Dural escape. At the award ceremony, Jace and Satele part on better terms; Theron leaves a message for Jace, saying he wants to get to know him. Theron gives Teff'ith her credits and says he'll always watch over her as that's what family does.
Though Drew tries his best to crank out a better book since he quit BioWare, he still fails to bring together a descent story. Instead, just like TOR:Revan, he rushes through it and manages to assassinate their characterizations. For instance, Gnost-Dural is a Jedi librarian and historian, not combative at all; Jace Malcom is a hardened war hero what was always characterized as tough and always looks out for innocent civilians--here's he's completely ruthless and unethical; Satele is just a whiny character that constantly harps on the past; Theron's cold and constantly screws some things up just because; Teff'ith is suddenly completely idioitc and says "We" instead of "I"; The Dark Council are probably the best characters, simply because Drew hates Jedi and has always praised the Sith, or at least writes them better than the Jedi and Republic.
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